Experienced Avalanche fans knew it was time to sharpen the incisors and munch on some fingernails when their team took a two-goal lead into the third period Wednesday night.
The cuticles of their fans may be shorter, but the Avs’ lead in the chase for an NHL Western Conference playoff spot grew larger after they pulled out a 4-3 shootout victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the Pepsi Center.
Chris Stewart’s tiebreaking goal in the shootout held up when former Av Ryan Smyth clanked a shot off the crossbar behind Craig Anderson, giving the Avs three of a possible four points in the second half of an old- fashioned barn-to-barn series with the Kings.
“It’s that time of the year. These games are tight right now,” Avs coach Joe Sacco said. “Just like what happened in Los Angeles, where we came back and tied the game, they did the same to us tonight. But I thought we played well. It’s just hard to play with a lead in this league.”
Twelve previous times this season, the Avs lost games — in regulation or extra time — when a game entered the final 10 minutes of a third period with Colorado tied or ahead by a goal. And when L.A.’s Alex Frolov converted a power-play chance with 1:21 left, capping a comeback from a two-goal third-period deficit, momentum seemed in the Kings’ favor. But Anderson bailed his team out when it needed it, stopping all five L.A. overtime shots (to none for the Avs) and stopped two of three shootout shots. Newcomer Peter Mueller and Stewart got the important extra point for Colorado with 5-hole goals on Kings relief goalie Erik Ersberg.
“We made things a little more difficult on us. We had other chances to bury them in the second to make it 4- or 5-1, but their goalie made some big saves to change the momentum,” Anderson said.
The Avs jumped out to a 3-1 lead after one period, capitalizing twice on power plays. Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny scored, sending Kings starter Jonathan Quick to the bench in favor of Ersberg. They had an 18-5 edge in shots in the period, but by the end of regulation the shot total was 30-25 in their favor, and 30-30 after OT.
“We took a couple penalties, and that team is great on the power play, but I’m just happy we got the two points,” said Avs winger Matt Hendricks, whose wraparound goal got them on the board at 7:38 of the first period. “It’s a big win. We hadn’t beaten them yet. It’s a good feather in the cap, but there’s still nine games left and we know we have a lot more work to do. We’re all just trying to raise our game a notch, and together as a team we’ll be successful.”
Stewart, whose shootout goal was the third of his career, learned from watching Mueller before depositing the game-winner.
“I thought at first I’d try to wait him out and try to go up top. But I noticed Mueller beat him 5-hole, so I just put it 5-hole,” Stewart said.
Said Kings center Anze Kopitar, who had a goal and assist: “As much as we gave away the one at the Staples Center the other night, we got it back. Obviously you want to win the game, but to finish it off like that shows some character.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com and
Avs Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Peter Mueller.
Had two assists for the Avs and one of their two shootout goals.
2. Anze Kopitar.
Kings center had a goal and assist.
3. Craig Anderson.
Made some big stops in overtime to preserve the extra point chance.
What you might have missed
Anderson’s victory was his 36th, moving him to within four of Patrick Roy’s team record in one season (2000-01).
Up next
At Phoenix, Saturday at 7 p.m.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
